Foldable Display Device With Ratchet Mechanisms

Abstract

A foldable touch screen display device made up of flexible segments that can be folded from a compact state to an expanded state which also includes ratchet mechanisms is disclosed. The form factor of the compact state is roughly the size of a typical handheld phone or smaller. The form factor of the expanded state is roughly the size of a larger phone or tablet computer, which may also have the size and mechanical functionality of a laptop. The device form factor may also be a flip phone configuration. Both folded states may include an integrated speaker and microphone. The ratchet mechanisms are utilized to ease the folding action of the device and can also be used to stabilize the folded angle of the device's display segments relative to each other. The device may further include sensors to indicate the position of each display segment. In one embodiment, a module attached to, situated within, or otherwise associated with at least one segment of the flexible display or rigid display may contain all or substantially all processing and memory, along with a communications system, which may be used in any folded state.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising:
 (a) a flexible touch-sensitive display composed of a first flexible touch-sensitive display portion and a second flexible touch-sensitive display portion; wherein:
 (1) the first flexible touch-sensitive display portion is attached to a first structural support segment; 
 (2) the second flexible touch-sensitive display portion is attached to a second structural support segment; 
 (3) the flexible touch-sensitive display further comprises having a fully folded state; 
 (4) the flexible touch-sensitive display further comprises having a partially expanded state; 
 (5) the flexible touch-sensitive display further comprises having a fully expanded state; 
   (b) A ratchet mechanism configured and attached to at least one flexible touch-sensitive display structural support segment such that as the apparatus is folded, the folding motion of the apparatus activates the rotational motion of the ratchet mechanism.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the ratchet mechanism includes a ratchet gear and a pawl. 
 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the first structural support segment and the second structural support segment are connected by a hinge and a sleeve structure that houses the hinge. 
 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein:
 the ratchet gear is mechanically connected to at least one structural support segment; and 
 the pawl is mechanically connected to the hinge sleeve structure. 
 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein:
 the ratchet gear is mechanically connected to a spur gear and the spur gear is mechanically connected to at least one structural support segment; and the pawl is mechanically connected to the hinge sleeve structure. 
 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the ratchet mechanism includes a spring. 
 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus comprising:
 (a) a rigid touch-sensitive display;   (b) a flexible touch-sensitive display composed of a first flexible touch-sensitive display portion and a second flexible touch-sensitive display portion; wherein:
 (1) the first flexible touch-sensitive display portion is attached to a first structural support segment; 
 (2) the second flexible touch-sensitive display portion is attached to a second structural support segment; 
 (3) the flexible touch-sensitive display further comprises having a fully folded state; 
 (4) the flexible touch-sensitive display further comprises having a partially expanded state; 
 (5) the flexible touch-sensitive display further comprises having a fully expanded state; 
   (b) A ratchet mechanism configured and attached to at least one flexible touch-sensitive display structural support segment such that as the apparatus is folded, the folding motion of the apparatus activates the rotational motion of the ratchet mechanism.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the ratchet mechanism includes a ratchet gear and a pawl. 
 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the first structural support segment and the second structural support segment are connected by a hinge and a sleeve structure that houses the hinge. 
 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein:
 the ratchet gear is mechanically connected to at least one structural support segment; and 
 the pawl is mechanically connected to the hinge sleeve structure. 
 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein:
 the ratchet gear is mechanically connected to a spur gear and the spur gear is mechanically connected to at least one structural support segment; and the pawl is mechanically connected to the hinge sleeve structure. 
 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the ratchet mechanism includes a spring. 
 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus comprising:
 (a) a first touch-sensitive display and a second touch-sensitive display; wherein:
 (1) the first touch-sensitive display is attached to a first structural support segment; 
 (2) the second touch-sensitive display is attached to a second structural support segment; 
 (3) the touch-sensitive displays further comprise having a fully folded state; 
 (4) the touch-sensitive displays further comprise having a partially expanded state; 
   (b) A ratchet mechanism configured and attached to at least one touch-sensitive display structural support segment such that as the apparatus is folded, the folding motion of the apparatus activates the rotational motion of the ratchet mechanism.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the ratchet mechanism includes a ratchet gear and a pawl. 
 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the first structural support segment and the second structural support segment are connected by a hinge and a sleeve structure that houses the hinge. 
 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein:
 the ratchet gear is mechanically connected to at least one structural support segment; and 
 the pawl is mechanically connected to the hinge sleeve structure. 
 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein:
 the ratchet gear is mechanically connected to a spur gear and the spur gear is mechanically connected to at least one structural support segment; and the pawl is mechanically connected to the hinge sleeve structure. 
 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the ratchet mechanism includes a spring.